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CHICAGO -- The Samford University basketball team shot a solid 40 percent from the field Sunday, but the homestanding Loyola (Chicago) Ramblers turned in an efficient 61.7-percent mark from the floor in an 88-67 win over the Bulldogs in an early-season matchup held at Gentile Arena.
 
Samford (1-3) trailed by as many as 22 points early in the second half, but charged to within eight, 71-63, following a layup from junior Stefan Lakic at the 5:22 mark remaining in the game. Lakic, the Bulldogs' native of Visegrad, Bosnia, finished with nine points on 4-of-9 shooting from field in the contest.
 
After Lakic's basket with 5:22 remaining, Loyola (Chicago) (4-0) then used a quick 10-0 run to extend its lead back out to 81-63 with 1:51 left to play in the game. The Ramblers were able to use that momentum to hang on for the 88-67 victory.
 
Loyola (Chicago) led 41-27 at the half and then scored 47 points in the second half. The Ramblers finished the contest shooting 61.7 percent from floor and 47.8 percent from 3-point range (11-of-23).
 
Samford turned in a 40-percent mark from the field, but a 25.9-percent outing from beyond the arc (7-of-27). The Bulldogs were led in scoring by senior Christen Cunningham's 17 points, five assists and three rebounds.
 
With his 17-point performance, Cunningham moved into sole possession of 13^th place on the school's all-time scoring list. He currently owns 1,254 career points and surpassed former Bulldog-great Randall Gulina (1,245) on Sunday.
 
Samford's Demetrius Denzel-Dyson added 14 points and four rebounds, while Justin Coleman came off the bench to add 10 points, three assists, two steals and a pair of rebounds.
 
Loyola (Chicago) finished with four players scoring in double figures and were led by Marques Townes and Clayton Custer with 18 points apiece.
 
Samford outscored the Ramblers, 34-32, in the paint, as well as 15-8 in second-chance points.
 
Loyola (Chicago) was predicted to finish third in the Missouri Valley this season, behind only Missouri State and Northern Iowa.
 
Samford will next be in action Tuesday at 7 p.m. (CT) as the Bulldogs conclude play in their current three-game road trek against the Valparaiso Crusaders in a highly-anticipated contest to be held at the ARC (Athletics-Recreation Center) in Valparaiso, Indiana.
 
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